Jesus is Essential
John 12:27–30: “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.
His supreme desire is the glory of God. What a lesson that is for us! We tend to whimper and cry and complain and ask God why He lets unpleasant things happen to us. With Christ, we should learn to say, “Father, through this suffering and through this pain, glorify Thyself.” 1
Walking with Jesus
What is your supreme desire on earth? Are your thoughts more earth-bound, or heaven-bound? How acquainted are you with suffering or sacrificing for your Christian beliefs?
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12–13
To suffer for Him on earth is a blessed privilege, and is rewarded in heaven.
Praying
Lord, thank You for enduring such hostility as the sinless Savior of the world.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (John 11-21) (electronic ed., Vol. 39). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
